According to recent reports, many teenagers got plastic surgery during the summer holidays with the support of their parents, who are also blindly following the trend that’s generating a group of youth receiving plastic surgery at increasingly younger ages. 

Modern cosmetic surgery can help people look better and gain more confidence, which is leading to its increased popularity. However, it should be noted that teenagers getting cosmetic surgery can face physical injuries and low self-esteem once a surgery goes wrong. Focusing too much on better looks will also distort their values. 

The phenomenon has reflected people’s fickleness in an ever-growing, fast-paced modern society. Since some hosts on live-streaming platforms have gained wide attention after getting plastic surgery and several companies reportedly prefer to hire those with good looks, many teenagers are misguided into thinking that good looks lead to good jobs and cosmetic surgery is necessary for them to not lose a step at the starting line. Some parents even admit that they do not want their children to fall behind in terms of appearances. 

In a bid to stop this mania, parents and schools should help teenagers develop rational concepts that improving their own abilities is the fundamental approach toward a better life. The government also needs to regulate the plastic surgery industry and crack down on unqualified hospitals. Only joint efforts including school education, social publicity and legal regulations can stop the cosmetic surgery mania by some teenagers and their parents. 

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Guangzhou Daily on September 14)